Texas Community Banker Elected to Industry Board

Hometown Bank's Rasmussen to Support ICBA's State and National Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 27, 2005) - Galveston, Texas-based HomeTown Bank, N.A., President and CEO Jimmy Rasmussen has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the nation's largest community bank trade association.

"I am honored to be elected to this position," Rasmussen said. "It gives me a chance to fight for community banks across the country. Community banks continue to offer superior financial services and value to local consumers."

Rasmussen will work regularly on legislative and regulartory issues affecting community banks both in Texas and nationally. "This is a great opportunity to help coordinate the activities of community bankers here in Southeast Texas with our industry's efforts across the national and in Washington," said Rasmussen. As of December 31, 2004, HomeTown Bank had assets of $181.8 million. The bank has four locations in Galveston, League City and Friendswood.

"Jimmy Rasmussen is a dedicated community banker who is respected by his industry's peers," said ICBA Chairman David E. Hayes, president and CEO of Security Bank in Dyersburg, Tenn. "We are delighted he will be offering his time and valuable professional talents to the service of the community banking industry."

With trusted financial expertise and quality customer service as their hallmarks, community banks offer the best financial services option for millions of consumers, small businesses, farms and ranches. A Federal Reserve study shows that community banks charge fewer and lower fees-ranging from 15 to 133 percent lower-than their money center bank counterparts.